Dying in the hospital setting: A systematic review of quantitative studies identifying the elements of end-of-life care that patients and their families rank as being most important

Hospice Patient Care Goals and Medical Students' Perceptions: Evidence of a Generation Gap?

BACKGROUND

The ability to perceive care goals of the dying may be an indicator of future quality patient-centered care. Research conducted on end-of-life goals indicates discrepancies between patients and physicians.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to compare end-of-life care goals of hospice patients and medical student perceptions of patient care goals.

DESIGN

Hospice patients and medical students were surveyed on their care goals and perceptions, respectively, using an 11-item survey of goals previously identified in palliative care literature. Medical student empathy was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index.

SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS

Eighty hospice patients and 176 medical students (97 first-year and 79 third-year) in a New York State medical school.

RESULTS

Medical students ranked 7 of the 11 care goals differently than hospice patients: not being a burden to family (p < .001), time with family and friends (p = .002), being at peace with God (p < .001), dying at home (p = .004), feeling that life was meaningful (p < .001), living as long as possible (p < .001), and resolving conflicts (p < .001). Third-year students were less successful than first-year students in perceiving patient care goals of hospice patients. No significant differences in medical student empathy were found based on student year.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical students, while empathetic, were generally unsuccessful in perceiving end-of-life care goals of hospice patients in the psychosocial and spiritual domains. Differences impeding the ability of medical students to understand these care goals may be generationally based. Increased age awareness and sensitivity may improve future end-of-life care discussions. Overall, there is a need to recognize the greater dimensionality of the dying in order to provide the most complete patient-centered care.

What matters when doctors die: A qualitative study of family perspectives

Background

The challenges of supporting the end-of-life preferences of patients and their families have often been attributed to poor understanding of the patient’s condition. Understanding how physicians, as patients, communicate their end-of-life care preferences to their families may inform shared decision making at end of life.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to understand what matters to families of physicians when decision making with and for a physician who is approaching the end of life.

Design

Cross-sectional qualitative design.

Participants

We conducted interviews with family members of deceased physicians.

Approach

We analyzed the data using the constant comparison method to identify themes.

Key results

Family members (N = 26) rarely were unclear about the treatment preferences of physicians who died. Three overarching themes emerged about what matters most to physicians’ families: (1) honoring preferences for the context of end-of-life care; (2) supporting the patient’s control and dignity in care; and, (3) developing a shared understanding of preferences. Families struggled to make decisions and provide the care needed by the physicians at the end of life, often encountering significant challenges from the healthcare system.

Conclusions

Even when disease and prognosis are well understood as in this group of physicians, families still experienced difficulties in end-of-life decision making. These findings highlight the need to specifically address preferences for caregiver, care setting and symptom management in shared end-of-life decision making conversations with patients and families.

Communication and shared decision-making with patients with limited health literacy; helpful strategies, barriers and suggestions for improvement reported by hospital-based palliative care providers

BACKGROUND

Communication and shared decision-making (SDM) are essential to patient-centered care. Hospital-based palliative care with patients with limited health literacy (LHL) poses particular demands on communication. In this context, patients' emotions and vulnerable condition impact their skills to obtain, understand, process and apply information about health and healthcare even more. If healthcare providers (HCPs) meet these demands, it could enhance communication. In this study, HCPs were interviewed and asked for their strategies, barriers and suggestions for improvement regarding communication and SDM with LHL patients in hospital-based palliative care.

METHODS

A qualitative interview study was conducted in 2018 in four Dutch hospitals with 17 HCPs-11 physicians and 6 nurses. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

In general HCPs recognized limited literacy as a concept, however, they did not recognize limited health literacy. Regarding SDM some HCPs were strong advocates, others did not believe in SDM as a concept and perceived it as unfeasible. Furthermore, five themes, acting as either strategies, barriers or suggestions for improvement emerged from the interviews: 1) time management; 2) HCPs' communication skills; 3) information tailoring; 4) characteristics of patients and significant others; 5) the content of the medical information.

CONCLUSIONS

According to HCPs, more time to communicate with their patients could resolve the most prominent barriers emerged from this study. Further research should investigate the organizational possibilities for this and the actual effectiveness of additional time on effective communication and SDM. Additionally, more awareness for the concept of LHL is needed as a precondition for recognizing LHL. Furthermore, future research should be directed towards opportunities for tailoring communication, and the extent to which limited knowledge and complex information affect communication and SDM. This study provides first insights into perspectives of HCPs, indicating directions for research on communication, SDM and LHL in hospital-based palliative care.

Development of a Short Form of the Questionnaire Quality from the Patient's Perspective for Palliative Care (QPP-PC)

PURPOSE

Patients' views on quality are important to improve person-centered palliative care. There is a lack of short, validated instruments incorporating patients' perspectives of the multidisciplinary palliative care services. The aim of this study was to develop a short form of the instrument Quality from the Patient's Perspective for Palliative Care (QPP-PC) and to describe and compare patients' perceptions of the subjective importance (SI) of care aspects and their perceptions of care received (PR).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Norway including 128 patients (67% response rate) in four palliative care contexts. The QPP-PC, based on a person-centered theoretical framework, incorporating the multidisciplinary palliative care, comprises 4 dimensions; medical-technical competence, physical-technical conditions, identity-oriented approach and sociocultural atmosphere, 12 factors (49 items) and 3 single items. The instrument measures SI and PR. Development of the short form of the QPP-PC was inspired by previously published methodological guidelines. Descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, confirmatory factor analysis and Cronbach's α were used.

RESULTS

The short form of QPP-PC consists of 4 dimensions, 20 items and 4 single items. Psychometric evaluation showed a root-mean-square error of approximation (RMSEA) value of 0.109 (SI). Cronbach's α values ranged between 0.64 and 0.85 for most dimensions on SI scales. Scores on SI and PR scales were mostly high. Significantly higher scores for SI than PR were present for the identity-oriented approach dimension, especially on items about information.

CONCLUSION

RMSEA value was slightly above the recommended level. Cronbach's α was acceptable for most dimensions. The short form of QPP-PC shows promising results and may be used with caution as an indicator of person-centered patient-reported experience measures evaluating the multidisciplinary palliative care for patients in a late palliative phase. However, the short version of QPP-PC needs to be further validated using new samples of patients.

Is informed consent required for the diagnosis of brain death regardless of consent for organ donation?

In the half-century history of clinical practice of diagnosing brain death, informed consent has seldom been considered until very recently. Like many other medical diagnoses and ordinary death pronouncements, it has been taken for granted for decades that brain death is diagnosed and death is declared without consideration of the patient's advance directives or family's wishes. This essay examines the pros and cons of using informed consent before the diagnosis of brain death from an ethical point of view. As shared decision-making in clinical practice became increasingly indispensable, respect for the patients' autonomous wishes regarding how to end their lives has a significant role in deciding how death is diagnosed. Brain death, as a fully technologically controlled death, may require a different ethical framework from the old one for traditional cardiac death. With emerging and proliferating options in end-of-life care for those who suffer from catastrophic brain injury, the traditional reasoning that 'death gives no choice, hence no consent' requires another examination. Patients facing imminent brain death now have options other than undergoing the diagnostic workup for brain death, such as donation after circulatory death and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment with maximum comfort measures for death with dignity. Nevertheless, just as in the debate over opt-in versus opt-out organ donation policies, informed consent before the diagnosis of brain death faces fierce opposition from consequentialists urging the expansion of the donor pool. This essay examines these objections and provides constructive replies along with a proposal to accommodate this morally required consent.

Exploring pet owners' experiences and self-reported satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia

BACKGROUND

While euthanasia is a common feature of veterinary practice, research has yet to adequately explore the experiences, perception and wishes of pet owners, including their satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was conducted with pet owners who had experienced euthanasia within the last 10 years to explore the relationship between pet owners' experiences and their resulting satisfaction and grief following companion animal euthanasia. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS

Overall, participants (N=2354) reported high levels of satisfaction with their euthanasia experience. Their experience with the administration practices (i.e., payment and paperwork), emotional support, follow-up care and care for their pet's remains was found to be associated with overall satisfaction. Participants' grief was associated with the number of euthanasia previously experienced, the type of human-animal bond, if the euthanasia was emergent and the emotional support they received.

CONCLUSION

Findings contribute to existing research and shed light on some of the most important practices associated with companion animal euthanasia. Several practical recommendations are made, including developing standard operating procedures for companion animal euthanasia; exploring owners' previous experiences, expectations and emotions; the importance of reassurance; and access to grief resources and services.

The Functional Palliative Prognostic Index: a scoring system for functional prognostication of patients with advanced cancer

PURPOSE

For appropriate advance care planning, functional prognostication is necessary. However, there are no studies of functional prognostication in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a functional prognostic scoring system for patients with advanced cancer.

METHODS

In this multicenter prospective observational study, 1896 patients were enrolled. First, Cox regression analysis and the combination of forward and backward variable selection were used to identify the best subset of predictors. Second, the prognostic score value was defined from each regression coefficient of a significant prognostic factor. The Functional Palliative Prognostic Index (FPPI) was calculated by summing the prognostic scores.

RESULTS

Patients were classified into three groups by the FPPI. For walking, the 14-day functional survival probability was > 72.8% for group A (score 0), 28.4-72.8% for group B (score 1), and < 28.4% for group C (score 2-3). For eating, the 14-day functional survival probability was > 71.8% for group A (score 0-3), 29.6-71.8% for group B (score 3.5-5.5), and < 29.6% for group C (score 6-9). For communicating, the 14-day functional survival probability was > 76.6% for group A (score 0-6.5), 22.6-76.6% for group B (score 7-10), and < 22.6% for group C (score 10.5-16). Regarding each item, group B functionally survived significantly longer than group C, and group A functionally survived significantly longer than either of the others.

CONCLUSION

We firstly developed a functional prognostic scoring system for patients with advanced cancer. This FPPI system promises to be helpful in advance care planning.

Role of Hospice Care at the End of Life for People With Cancer

Patient-defined factors that are important at the end of life include being physically independent for as long as possible, good symptom control, and spending quality time with friends and family. Hospice care adds to the quality of care and these patient-centered priorities for people with cancer and their families in the last weeks and days of life. Evidence from large observational studies demonstrate that hospice care can improve outcomes directly and support better and more appropriate health care use for people in the last stages of cancer.

Team-based community hospice care has measurable benefits for patients, their family caregivers, and health services. In addition to improved symptom control for patients and a greater likelihood of time spent at home, caregiver outcomes are better when hospice care is accessed: informational needs are better met, and caregivers have an improved ability to move on with life after the patient’s death compared with people who did not have access to these services.

Hospice care continues to evolve as its reach expands and the needs of patients continue to broaden. This is reflected in the transition from hospice being based on excellence in nursing to teams with a broad range of health professionals to meet the complex and changing needs of patients and their families. Additional integration of cancer services with hospice care will help to provide more seamless care for patients and supporting family caregivers during their caregiving and after the death of the patient.

Differences of Quality in End-of-Life Care across Settings: Results from the U.S. National Health and Aging Trends Study of Medicare Beneficiaries

Background: More than 2.5 million older Americans die each year. Place of residence in which dying patients receive care plays a crucial role in the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care. Objective: This study aimed to compare proxies' overall rating and ratings for 13 indicators across five major domains of EOL care by place of residence in the last month of decedents' lives. Design: We used data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a nationally representative study of Medicare beneficiaries at age 65 years and older in the United States. Setting/Subjects: Analyses included proxies (N = 1336) of Medicare beneficiaries who passed away between 2013 and 2016. Proxies were categorized into four groups, depending on place of residence in the last month of life and the involvement of hospice. Measurements: Quality of EOL care was assessed using questions modeled after quality of EOL care instruments. We adjusted for demographic data of decedents and proxies. Results: Hospice recipients, regardless of setting, were more likely to experience pain and talk about religion in the last month of life; families of patients without hospice in residential care settings were more likely to report not being kept informed; proxies of patients living in private residences with hospice care reported higher overall ratings. Among hospice recipients, those living in private residences were more likely to be treated with respect. Conclusions: Disparities exist across settings and in overall ratings for quality of EOL domains-particularly, the subdomains of symptom management, decision making, and spiritual needs.

The role of geriatric palliative care in hospitalized older adults

Take-Away Points:1. Geriatric palliative care requires integrating the disciplines of hospital medicine and palliative care in pursuit of delivering comprehensive, whole-person care to aging patients with serious illnesses.2. Older adults have unique palliative care needs compared to the general population, different prevalence and intensity of symptoms, more frequent neuropsychiatric challenges, increased social needs, distinct spiritual, religious, and cultural considerations, and complex medicolegal and ethical issues.3. Hospital-based palliative care interdisciplinary teams can take many forms and provide high-quality, goal-concordant care to older adults and their families.

A scoping review of initiatives to reduce inappropriate or non-beneficial hospital admissions and bed days in people nearing the end of their life: much innovation, but limited supporting evidence

BACKGROUND

Hospitalisation during the last weeks of life when there is no medical need or desire to be there is distressing and expensive. This study sought palliative care initiatives which may avoid or shorten hospital stay at the end of life and analysed their success in terms reducing bed days.

METHODS

Part 1 included a search of literature in PubMed and Google Scholar between 2013 and 2018, an examination of governmental and organisational publications plus discussions with external and co-author experts regarding other sources. This initial sweep sought to identify and categorise relevant palliative care initiatives. In Part 2, we looked for publications providing data on hospital admissions and bed days for each category.

RESULTS

A total of 1252 abstracts were reviewed, resulting in ten broad classes being identified. Further screening revealed 50 relevant publications describing a range of multi-component initiatives. Studies were generally small and retrospective. Most researchers claim their service delivered benefits. In descending frequency, benefits identified were support in the community, integrated care, out-of-hours telephone advice, care home education and telemedicine. Nurses and hospices were central to many initiatives. Barriers and factors underpinning success were rarely addressed.

CONCLUSIONS

A wide range of initiatives have been introduced to improve end-of-life experiences. Formal evidence supporting their effectiveness in reducing inappropriate/non-beneficial hospital bed days was generally limited or absent.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

N/A.

Advance care planning for adults with heart failure

BACKGROUND

People with heart failure report various symptoms and show a trajectory of periodic exacerbations and recoveries, where each exacerbation event may lead to death. Current clinical practice guidelines indicate the importance of discussing future care strategies with people with heart failure. Advance care planning (ACP) is the process of discussing an individual's future care plan according to their values and preferences, and involves the person with heart failure, their family members or surrogate decision-makers, and healthcare providers. Although it is shown that ACP may improve discussion about end-of-life care and documentation of an individual's preferences, the effects of ACP for people with heart failure are uncertain.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of advance care planning (ACP) in people with heart failure compared to usual care strategies that do not have any components promoting ACP.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Social Work Abstracts, and two clinical trials registers in October 2019. We checked the reference lists of included studies. There were no restrictions on language or publication status.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that compared ACP with usual care in people with heart failure. Trials could have parallel group, cluster-randomised, or cross-over designs. We included interventions that implemented ACP, such as discussing and considering values, wishes, life goals, and preferences for future medical care. The study participants comprised adults (18 years of age or older) with heart failure.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently extracted outcome data from the included studies, and assessed their risk of bias. We contacted trial authors when we needed to obtain missing information.

MAIN RESULTS

We included nine RCTs (1242 participants and 426 surrogate decision-makers) in this review. The meta-analysis included seven studies (876 participants). Participants' mean ages ranged from 62 to 82 years, and 53% to 100% of the studies' participants were men. All included studies took place in the US or the UK. Only one study reported concordance between participants' preferences and end-of-life care, and it enrolled people with heart failure or renal disease. Owing to one study with small sample size, the effects of ACP on concordance between participants' preferences and end-of-life care were uncertain (risk ratio (RR) 1.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.91 to 1.55; participants = 110; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence). It corresponded to an assumed risk of 625 per 1000 participants receiving usual care and a corresponding risk of 744 per 1000 (95% CI 569 to 969) for ACP. There was no evidence of a difference in quality of life between groups (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.06, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.38; participants = 156; studies = 3; low-quality evidence). However, one study, which was not included in the meta-analysis, showed that the quality of life score improved by 14.86 points in the ACP group compared with 11.80 points in the usual care group. Completion of documentation by medical staff regarding discussions with participants about ACP processes may have increased (RR 1.68. 95% CI 1.23 to 2.29; participants = 92; studies = 2; low-quality evidence). This corresponded to an assumed risk of 489 per 1000 participants with usual care and a corresponding risk of 822 per 1000 (95% CI 602 to 1000) for ACP. One study, which was not included in the meta-analysis, also showed that ACP helped to improve documentation of the ACP process (hazard ratio (HR) 2.87, 95% CI 1.09 to 7.59; participants = 232). Three studies reported that implementation of ACP led to an improvement of participants' depression (SMD -0.58, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.34; participants = 278; studies = 3; low-quality evidence). We were uncertain about the effects of ACP on the quality of communication when compared to the usual care group (MD -0.40, 95% CI -1.61 to 0.81; participants = 9; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence). We also noted an increase in all-cause mortality in the ACP group (RR 1.32, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.67; participants = 795; studies = 5). The studies did not report participants' satisfaction with care/treatment and caregivers' satisfaction with care/treatment.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

ACP may help to increase documentation by medical staff regarding discussions with participants about ACP processes, and may improve an individual's depression. However, the quality of the evidence about these outcomes was low. The quality of the evidence for each outcome was low to very low due to the small number of studies and participants included in this review. Additionally, the follow-up periods and types of ACP intervention were varied. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the effects of ACP that consider these differences carefully.

Quality of End of Life Care in Magnet® and Non-Magnet Hospitals

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether end-of-life care quality is superior in Magnet hospitals, a recognition designating nursing excellence.

BACKGROUND

Considerable research shows better patient outcomes in hospitals with excellent nurse work environments, but end-of-life care quality has not been studied in Magnet hospitals.

METHODS

An analysis of cross-sectional data was completed using surveys of nurses and hospitals. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the association between Magnet hospitals and measures of end-of-life care quality.

RESULTS

Overall, nurses report poor quality of end-of-life care in US hospitals. In Magnet hospitals, nurses were significantly less likely to give their hospital an unfavorable rating on end-of-life care.

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital Magnet status may signal better quality in end-of-life care. Administrators looking to improve the quality of end-of-life care may consider improving aspects of nursing that distinguish Magnet hospitals.

Preferences for End-of-Life Care and Decision Making Among Older and Seriously Ill Inpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study

CONTEXT

Older and seriously ill Australians are often admitted to hospital in the last year of their life. The extent to which these individuals have considered important aspects of end-of-life (EOL) care, including location in which care is provided, goals of care, and involvement of others in decision making, is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To determine, in a sample of older and seriously ill Australian inpatients, preferences regarding location in which they receive EOL care and reasons for their choice; who is involved in EOL decisions; disclosure of life expectancy; goals of care; and voluntary-assisted dying.

METHODS

Cross-sectional face-to-face survey interviews conducted with 186 (80% consent) inpatients in a tertiary referral center aged 80 years and older; or aged 55 years and older with progressive chronic disease(s); or with physician-estimated life expectancy of less than 12 months.

RESULTS

Home care was preferred (69%), given the perceived availability of family/friends, familiarity of environment, and likelihood of having wishes respected. If unable to make decisions themselves, inpatients wanted family to decide care alone (31%) or with a doctor (49%). Of those who had not discussed life expectancy, 23% wished to. Most (76%) preferred care that maintained quality of life and relieved symptoms. There was some agreement for being sedated at the EOL (63%) and able to access medication to end life (43%).

CONCLUSION

Most inpatients would prefer EOL care that maintains quality and relieves suffering compared with life extension and to receive this care at home. Family involvement in resolution and documentation of EOL decisions should be prioritized.

Nurses' perceptions of and barriers to the optimal end-of-life care in hospitals: A cross-sectional study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To assess nurses' perceptions of what constitutes optimal end-of-life (EOL) care in hospital and evaluate nurses' perceived barriers to EOL care delivery.

BACKGROUND

Care of dying patients is common in hospitals. However, little is known about the important elements of and barriers to optimal EOL care from key service providers' perspective, which is crucial for quality EOL care in hospital settings.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional survey. Nurses practising in hospitals recruited by convenience sampling completed self-report survey questionnaires. STROBE checklist was used in study reporting.

RESULTS

One hundred and-seventy-five nurses participated in the survey. The majority (70%) had experience in caring for dying patients. The five most highly perceived factors constituting optimal EOL care included the following: "families know and follow patient's EOL wishes"; "patients emotional concerns identified and managed well"; "patients participating in decision-making"; "EOL care documents stored well and easily accessed"; and "provide private rooms and unlimited visiting hours for families of dying patients". Top five barriers were "doctors are too busy"; "nurses are too busy"; "insufficient private room/space"; "nurses have limited training in EOL care"; and "families have unrealistic expectations of patient's prognosis." Multivariate regression analysis identified that nurses without experience in caring for dying patients reported a significantly higher number of perceived barriers towards EOL care (p = .012). Those with postgraduate degree training reported significantly fewer perceived barriers (p = .007).

CONCLUSION

Findings identified essential elements for optimal hospital EOL care not only involving patients and families in EOL decision and care, but also documentation and environmental issues in the healthcare system level and the needs for strengthening manpower and expertise at palliative care policy level.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study revealed quantitative data to inform health service managers and policy makers in terms of training and service development/ re-design for EOL care in hospital settings.

A National Study of End-of-Life Care among Older Veterans with Hearing and Vision Loss

OBJECTIVES

Hearing and visual sensory loss is prevalent among older adults and may impact the quality of healthcare they receive. Few studies have examined sensory loss and end-of-life (EOL) care quality. Our aim was to describe hearing and vision loss and their associations with the quality of EOL care and family perception of care in the last 30 days of life among a national sample of veteran decedents.

DESIGN

Retrospective medical record review and Bereaved Family Survey (BFS).

SETTING

Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Centers (N = 145).

PARTICIPANTS

Medical record review of all veterans who died in an inpatient VA Medical Center between October 2012 and September 2017 (N = 96 424). Survey results included 42 428 individuals.

MEASUREMENTS

Three indicators of high-quality EOL care were measured: palliative consultation in the last 90 days of life, death in a non-acute setting, and contact with a chaplain. The BFS reflects a global evaluation of quality of EOL care; pain and posttraumatic stress disorder management; and three subscales characterizing perceptions regarding communication, emotional and spiritual support, and information about death benefits in the last month of life.

RESULTS

In adjusted models, EOL care quality indicators and BFS outcomes for veterans with hearing loss were similar to those for veterans without hearing loss; however, we noted slightly lower scores for pain management and less satisfaction with communication. Veterans with vision loss were less likely to have received a palliative care consult or contact with a chaplain than those without vision loss. Although BFS respondents for veterans with vision loss were less likely than respondents for veterans without vision loss to report excellent overall care and satisfaction with emotional support, other outcomes did not differ.

CONCLUSION

In general, the VA is meeting the EOL care needs of veterans with hearing and vision loss through palliative care practices. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:817-825, 2020.

Patterns of comorbidities in hospitalised cancer survivors for palliative care and associated in-hospital mortality risk: A latent class analysis of a statewide all-inclusive inpatient data

BACKGROUND

At the end of life, cancer survivors often experience exacerbations of complex comorbidities requiring acute hospital care. Few studies consider comorbidity patterns in cancer survivors receiving palliative care.

AIM

To identify patterns of comorbidities in cancer patients receiving palliative care and factors associated with in-hospital mortality risk.

DESIGN, SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

New South Wales Admitted Patient Data Collection data were used for this retrospective cohort study with 47,265 cancer patients receiving palliative care during the period financial year 2001-2013. A latent class analysis was used to identify complex comorbidity patterns. A regression mixture model was used to identify risk factors in relation to in-hospital mortality in different latent classes.

RESULTS

Five comorbidity patterns were identified: 'multiple comorbidities and symptoms' (comprising 9.1% of the study population), 'more symptoms' (27.1%), 'few comorbidities' (39.4%), 'genitourinary and infection' (8.7%), and 'circulatory and endocrine' (15.6%). In-hospital mortality was the highest for 'few comorbidities' group and the lowest for 'more symptoms' group. Severe comorbidities were associated with elevated mortality in patients from 'multiple comorbidities and symptoms', 'more symptoms', and 'genitourinary and infection' groups. Intensive care was associated with a 37% increased risk of in-hospital deaths in those presenting with more 'multiple comorbidities and symptoms', but with a 22% risk reduction in those presenting with 'more symptoms'.

CONCLUSION

Identification of comorbidity patterns and risk factors for in-hospital deaths in cancer patients provides an avenue to further develop appropriate palliative care strategies aimed at improving outcomes in cancer survivors.

What information and resources do carers require pre and post bereavement in the acute hospital setting? A rapid review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This mixed-method, rapid review of published research from 2014 to 2019 aims to explore the experiences of pre and postbereaved carers, and the information that they receive in the acute hospital setting. The quality of articles was evaluated using a standardized quality matrix. The techniques of conceptual analysis and idea mapping were used to create a structured synthesis of the findings.

RECENT FINDINGS

From the initial search of 432 articles, ten studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. These studies generated data from 42 patients, 1968 family/carers and 139 healthcare staff. Themes that were generated from a synthesis of the included articles were clear and timely communication, workforce provision and environment.

SUMMARY

This review has highlighted the need for improvements in information provision for carers as part of end of life care. Furthermore, the need for specific staff education and training to enable staff to confidently communicate with dying patients and their relatives in the acute setting is also warranted. Understanding and addressing gaps in knowledge and practice are essential to develop strategies in this complex area. Simple strategies can be implemented to improve the care of carers both pre and post bereavement in acute care.

Knowledge and attitudes toward end-of-life care among community health care providers and its influencing factors in China: A cross-sectional study

A majority of nurses struggled with a negative emotion of anger, doubt, fear, or anxious, uncomfortable in the face of death and dying. However, little was known about community health care providers' in China. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate their knowledge and attitudes toward end-of-life care and analyze its influencing factors. To provide reference for developing effective strategies to promote end-of-life care in China.A total of 132 community health care providers of 10 community health care centers in Changzhi city were investigated by a Questionnaire of Knowledge and Attitudes toward Caring for the Dying from May, 2017 to December, 2017, and data was analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software.Of the 132 community health care providers who were under investigation, 70 knew about hospice care, but they rated their overall content on end-of-life care as inadequacy, especially in communication skills and knowledge of pain management. The average score of attitudes was 3.47 (SD = 0.44), the lowest score was in the subscale of nurse-patient communication, which was 2.91 (SD = 0.65). Health care providers who had worked for more than 11 years, who had experiences of the death of relatives or friends, and who had previous experiences of caring for terminal patients had more positive attitudes toward caring for the dying (P < .05 for all). There was a significant relationship between community health care providers' attitudes toward death and their attitudes toward end-of-life care (r = -0.282, P < .01). The significant predictors of attitudes toward end-of-life care were attitudes toward death (β = -0.342), experiences of the death of relatives (β=-0.207), experiences of caring for the dying (β = 0.185), and working experience (β = 0.171).Community health care providers had positive attitudes toward end-of-life care, but they lacked systematic and professional knowledge and skills of caring for the terminal patients. Education is the top priority. It is imperative to set up palliative care courses and life-death education courses, establish an indigenous end-of-life care model, and improve policies, systems, and laws to promote end-of-life care.

Being on the Frontline: Nurses' Experiences Providing End-of-Life Care to Adults With Hematologic Malignancies

The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of nurses providing end-of-life care to patients with hematologic malignancies, in a hematology oncology setting, in an acute general hospital. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological design was used, and 2 sets of semistructured interviews were conducted with 5 female nurses. The transcribed texts were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Two main themes emerged: "battling against medical futility" and "struggling with the emotional burden of care." Nurses perceived that the transfer of these patients at end of life to intensive critical care settings, coupled with the particularly aggressive treatments and corresponding symptom burden, prevented them from experiencing a dignified death. Consequently, nurses struggled with a gamut of emotions that included feelings of helplessness, distress, and compassion fatigue. Providing nursing care at end of life was perceived to be particularly challenging with the younger patients or with those who reminded them of family members. The findings highlight the unique challenges experienced by these nurses and the need to support them in their work with patients having hematologic malignancies at end of life within a well-resourced setting.

Inclusion, characteristics and outcomes of people requiring palliative care in studies of non-pharmacological interventions for delirium: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common, distressing, serious and under-researched in specialist palliative care settings.

OBJECTIVES

To examine whether people requiring palliative care were included in non-pharmacological delirium intervention studies in inpatient settings, how they were characterised and what their outcomes were.

DESIGN

Systematic review (PROSPERO 2017 CRD42017062178).

DATA SOURCES

Systematic search in March 2017 for non-pharmacological delirium intervention studies in adult inpatients. Database search terms were 'delirium', 'hospitalisation', 'inpatient', 'palliative care', 'hospice', 'critical care' and 'geriatrics'. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodological checklists guided risk of bias assessment.

RESULTS

The 29 included studies were conducted between 1994 and 2015 in diverse settings in 15 countries (9136 participants, mean age = 76.5 years (SD = 8.1), 56% women). Most studies tested multicomponent interventions (n = 26) to prevent delirium (n = 19). Three-quarters of the 29 included studies (n = 22) excluded various groups of people requiring palliative care; however, inclusion criteria, participant diagnoses, illness severity and mortality indicated their presence in almost all studies (n = 26). Of these, 21 studies did not characterise participants requiring palliative care or report their specific outcomes (72%), four reported outcomes for older people with frailty, dementia, cancer and comorbidities, and one was explicitly focused on people receiving palliative care. Study heterogeneity and limitations precluded definitive determination of intervention effectiveness and only allowed interpretations of feasibility for people requiring palliative care. Acceptability outcomes (intervention adverse events and patients' subjective experience) were rarely reported overall.

CONCLUSION

Non-pharmacological delirium interventions have frequently excluded and under-characterised people requiring palliative care and infrequently reported their outcomes.

Do published patient decision aids for end-of-life care address patients' decision-making needs? A systematic review and critical appraisal

BACKGROUND

Many decisions are made by patients in their last months of life, creating complex decision-making needs for these individuals. Identifying whether currently existing patient decision aids address the full range of these patient decision-making needs will better inform end-of-life decision support in clinical practice.

AIMS AND DESIGN

This systematic review aimed to (a) identify the range of patients' decision-making needs and (b) assess the extent to which patient decision aids address these needs.

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, PsycINFO and CINAHL electronic literature databases were searched (January 1990-January 2017), supplemented by hand-searching strategies. Eligible literature reported patient decision-making needs throughout end-of-life decision-making or were evaluations of patient decision aids. Identified decision aid content was mapped onto and assessed against all patient decision-making needs that were deemed 'addressable'.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies described patient needs, and seven end-of-life patient decision aids were identified. Patient needs were categorised, resulting in 48 'addressable' needs. Mapping needs to patient decision aid content showed that 17 patient needs were insufficiently addressed by current patient decision aids. The most substantial gaps included inconsistent acknowledgement, elicitation and documentation of how patient needs varied individually for the level of information provided, the extent patients wanted to participate in decision-making, and the extent they wanted their families and associated healthcare professionals to participate.

CONCLUSION

Patient decision-making needs are broad and varied. Currently developed patient decision aids are insufficiently addressing patient decision-making needs. Improving future end-of-life patient decision aid content through five key suggestions could improve patient-focused decision-making support at the end of life.

Communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life: A systematic review of qualitative evidence

BACKGROUND

Effective communication between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life is vital to ensure patients have a 'good death'. To improve communication, it is important to first identify how this is currently being accomplished.

AIM

To review qualitative evidence concerning characteristics of communication about prognosis and end-of-life care between healthcare professionals and relatives of patients approaching the end-of-life.

DESIGN

Qualitative systematic review (PROSPERO registration CRD42017065560) using thematic synthesis. Peer-reviewed, English language articles exploring the content of conversations and how participants communicated were included. No date restrictions were applied. Quality of included studies was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research.

DATA SOURCES

An electronic database search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE was performed.

RESULTS

Thirty-one papers were included. Seven themes were identified: highlighting deterioration; involvement in decision-making, post-decision interactional work, tailoring, honesty and clarity, specific techniques for information delivery and roles of different healthcare professionals. Varied levels of family involvement in decision-making were reported. Healthcare professionals used strategies to aid understanding and collaborative decision-making, such as highlighting the patient's deterioration, referring to patient wishes and tailoring information delivery. Doctors were regarded as responsible for discussing prognosis and decision-making, and nurses for providing individualized care.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest training could provide healthcare professionals with these strategies to improve communication. Interventions such as question prompt lists could help relatives overcome barriers to involvement in decision-making. Further research is needed to understand communication with relatives in different settings and with different healthcare professionals.

End-of-life care preferences for people with advanced cancer and their families in intensive care units: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Advanced cancer patients' end-of-life care preferences in oncology units, medical-surgical units, nursing homes and palliative care services have been established. However, less is known about end-of-life care preferences of patients with advanced cancer in intensive care units and their families.

AIM

To explore end-of-life care preferences of patients with advanced cancer and their families in intensive care units and if these align with essential elements for end-of-life care.

DESIGN

Electronic databases were searched up to February 2018. Reference lists of retrieved articles were screened for potential studies.

RESULTS

A total of 112 full text articles were retrieved. Of these, 12 articles reporting outcomes from 10 studies were eligible for inclusion. The majority were retrospective chart reviews (n = 7) and conducted in developed countries (n = 9). Care preferences change over time with deteriorating physical condition. Ongoing patient-centred communication and shared decision-making are critical as is teamwork and involvement of a palliative care team. Marital status, gender and ethnicity appear to influence care preferences. Of those studies examining patient preferences and/or the receiving of their preferences, these could be aligned with approximately half of the Australian essential elements for end-of-life care.

CONCLUSIONS

Providing end-of-life care for patients with advanced cancer in intensive care units is challenging. No studies have investigated prospectively the end-of-life care preferences of patients and their families in this acute setting. Further research is required to determine the elements of care preferences for patients with advanced cancer and their families in intensive care units in developing countries.

A thematic analysis of in-hospital end-of-life care experiences of surviving family members

While end-of-life care (EoLC) priorities for patients dying in the hospital are well-documented, few data characterize needs and experiences of their family members. We conducted thematic analysis of audio recorded interviews of 18 bereaved family members to elucidate these experiences. Participants' memories were organized into two parent themes: those related to satisfaction with the care received and effective communication; those identifying shortcomings in patient care, hospital-family communication, hospital environment, and care burden on the part of family members. These findings provide insight to enhance services to patients and their families at end-of-life and improve postmortem and bereavement services.

Improving community access to terminal phase medicines in Australia: identification of the key considerations for the implementation of a 'core medicines list'

During the terminal phase, access to medicines is critical for people wishing to spend their last days of life at home. Yet, access to medicines can be problematic. The aim of this study was to report the perspectives of specialist and generalist health professionals (HPs) on the issues of community access to medicines for this vulnerable group. A qualitative descriptive study design investigated the views of HPs working in palliative care roles in South Australia. Nurses, doctors and pharmacists described their experiences of accessing medicines for management of terminal phase symptoms during semi-structured focus group discussions. Content analysis identified six themes including: 'Medication Supply', 'Education and Training', 'Caregiver Burden', 'Safety', 'Funding' and 'Clinical Governance'. Future projects should aim to address these themes when developing strategies for the management of people wishing to die at home.

'It was peaceful, it was beautiful': A qualitative study of family understandings of good end-of-life care in hospital for people dying in advanced age

BACKGROUND

Hospitals are important sites of end-of-life care, particularly for older people. A need has been identified to understand best practice in hospital end-of-life care from the service-user perspective.

AIM

The aim of this study was to identify examples of good care received in the hospital setting during the last 3 months of life for people dying in advanced age from the perspective of bereaved family members.

DESIGN

A social constructionist framework underpinned a qualitative research design. Data were analysed thematically drawing on an appreciative enquiry framework.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS

Interviews were conducted with 58 bereaved family carers nominated by 52 people aged >80 years participating in a longitudinal study of ageing. Data were analysed for the 21 of 34 cases where family members were 'extremely' or 'very' satisfied with a public hospital admission their older relative experienced in their last 3 months of life.

RESULTS

Participants' accounts of good care aligned with Dewar and Nolan's relation-centred compassionate care model: (1) a relationship based on empathy; (2) effective interactions between patients/families and staff; (3) contextualised knowledge of the patient/family; and (4) patients/families being active participants in care. We extended the model to the bicultural context of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

CONCLUSION

We identify concrete actions that clinicians working in acute hospitals can integrate into their practice to deliver end-of-life care with which families are highly satisfied. Further research is required to support the implementation of the relation-centred compassionate care model within hospitals, with suitable adaptations for local context, and explore the subsequent impact on patients, families and staff.

End-of-life priorities of older adults with terminal illness and caregivers: A qualitative consultation

BACKGROUND

As older adults approach the end-of-life (EOL), many are faced with complex decisions including whether to use medical advances to prolong life. Limited information exists on the priorities of older adults at the EOL.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore patient and family experiences and identify factors deemed important to quality EOL care.

METHOD

A descriptive qualitative study involving three focus group discussions (n = 18) and six in-depth interviews with older adults suffering from either a terminal condition and/or caregivers were conducted in NSW, Australia. Data were analysed thematically.

RESULTS

Seven major themes were identified as follows: quality as a priority, sense of control, life on hold, need for health system support, being at home, talking about death and competent and caring health professionals. An underpinning priority throughout the seven themes was knowing and adhering to patient's wishes.

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights that to better adhere to EOL patient's wishes a reorganization of care needs is required. The readiness of the health system to cater for this expectation is questionable as real choices may not be available in acute hospital settings. With an ageing population, a reorganization of care which influences the way we manage terminal patients is required.

Are Television Deaths Good Deaths? A Narrative Analysis of Hospital Death and Dying in Popular Medical Dramas

This study explores death narratives in the popular international medical dramas Grey's Anatomy (USA), Casualty (UK), All Saints (Australia), and E.R. (USA). Using narrative analysis, we characterize death portrayals in terms of the number and causes of the deaths, the types of characters who die, the narrative structures of the deaths, and themes found within the death stories. We then compare characteristics actual patients, physicians, and caregivers identify as important in a death experience with the characteristics of deaths portrayed in medical dramas. Our narrative analysis shows that death narratives in medical dramas lack narrative fidelity with the characteristics of "good" death experiences described in the literature.

Improving quality in hospital end-of-life care: honest communication, compassion and empathy

Background

With over half of expected deaths occurring in acute hospitals, and a workforce not trained to care for them, good quality end-of-life care in these settings is hard to achieve. The National Consensus Statement on Essential Elements for Safe and High-Quality End-of-Life Care has been translated into e-learning modules by the End of Life Essentials project, and this study aims to demonstrate how clinicians interpret the Consensus Statement in their day-to-day practice by answering the question at the end of each module: 'Tomorrow, the one thing I can change to more appropriately provide end-of-life care is…'.

Methods

The modules were developed by a palliative care educator with the support of a peer review group and were piloted with 35 health professionals. Pre-post module evaluation data were collected and during a 10-month period from 2016 to 2017 a total of 5181 individuals registered for the project accessing one or more of the six modules. The data from 3201 free-text responses to the post hoc practice change question have been analysed, and themes generated.

Findings

Five themes are derived from the data: communication, emotional insight, professional mindset, person-centred care and professional practice.

Conclusion

Learners who have completed End of Life Essentials have shared the ways they state they can change their practice tomorrow which may well be appreciated as a clinical response to the work by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care in leading and coordinating national improvements in quality and safety in healthcare in Australia. While intent cannot guarantee practice change, theory on intention-behaviour relations indicate that intentions have a strong association with behaviour. This indicates that the modules have the ability to influence end-of-life care in acute hospitals.

What role do Death Doulas play in end-of-life care? A systematic review

Current health and social care systems do not always meet the needs of the dying in our communities. As a result, patients and families are choosing to place their trust in those who can advocate for them or fill the gaps in care. Birth Doulas have been working with women during pregnancy and after birth for many years, and we are now seeing a new role, that of a Death Doula emerging in the end-of-life care space. How Death Doulas work within health and social care systems is not understood and we conducted a systematic review to explore the published literature to explore the role and potential implications for models of care delivery. Following the PRISMA recommendations, we searched the literature in January 2018 via bibliographic databases and the grey literature without search date parameters to capture all published literature. We looked for articles that describe the role/work of a death doula or a death midwife in the context of end-of-life care, or death and dying. Our search retrieved 162 unique records of which five papers were included. We analysed the papers in relation to relationship to health service, funding source, number and demand for services, training, licensing and ongoing support, and tasks undertaken. Death Doulas are working with people at the end of life in varied roles that are still little understood, and can be described as similar to that of "an eldest daughter" or to a role that has similarities to specialist palliative care nurses. Death doulas may represent a new direction for personalised care directly controlled by the dying person, an adjunct to existing services, or an unregulated form of care provision without governing oversight.

Patients' Autonomy at the End of Life: A Critical Review

CONTEXT

The predominating definition of autonomy as a capacity to make an independent rational choice may not be suitable for patients in palliative care. Therefrom arises the actual need for more contextualized perspectives on autonomy to promote the quality of life and satisfaction with care of terminally ill patients.

OBJECTIVES

This review aimed to develop a theoretical structural model of autonomy at the end of life based on patients' end-of-life care preferences.

METHODS

In this review, we used systematic strategy to integrate and synthesize findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies investigating patients' view on what is important at the end of life and which factors are related to autonomy. A systematic search of EMBASE (OVID), MEDLINE (OVID), Academic Search Complete (EBSCO), CINAHL (EBSCO), and PsycINFO (EBSCO) was conducted for studies published between 1990 and December 2015 providing primary data from patients with advanced disease.

RESULTS

Of the 5540 articles surveyed, 19 qualitative and eight quantitative studies met the inclusion criteria. We identified two core structural domains of autonomy: 1) being normal and 2) taking charge. By analyzing these domains, we described eight and 13 elements, respectively, which map the conceptual structure of autonomy within this population of patients.

CONCLUSION

The review shows that maintaining autonomy at the end of life is not only a concern of making choices and decisions about treatment and care but that emphasis should be also put on supporting the patients' engagement in daily activities, in contributing to others, and in active preparation for dying.

Family members´ experiences of the end-of-life care environments in acute care settings - a photo-elicitation study

PURPOSE

This article explores experiences of the acute-care environment as a setting for end-of-life (EoL) care from the perspective of family members of a dying person.

METHOD

We used participant-produced photographs in conjunction with follow-up interviews with nine family members to persons at the EoL, cared for in two acute-care settings.

RESULTS

The interpretive description analysis process resulted in three constructed themes-Aesthetic and un-aesthetic impressions, Space for privacy and social relationships, and Need for guidance in crucial times. Aspects of importance in the physical setting related to aesthetics, particularly in regard to sensory experience, and to a need for enough privacy to facilitate the maintenance of social relationships. Interactions between the world of family members and that of professionals were described as intrinsically related to guidance about both the material and immaterial environment at crucial times.

CONCLUSION

The care environment, already recognized to have an impact in relation to patients, is concluded to also affect the participating family members in this study in a variety of ways.

Multicomponent non-pharmacological intervention to prevent delirium for hospitalised people with advanced cancer: study protocol for a phase II cluster randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Delirium is a significant medical complication for hospitalised patients. Up to one-third of delirium episodes are preventable in older inpatients through non-pharmacological strategies that support essential human needs, such as physical and cognitive activity, sleep, hydration, vision and hearing. We hypothesised that a multicomponent intervention similarly may decrease delirium incidence, and/or its duration and severity, in inpatients with advanced cancer. Prior to a phase III trial, we aimed to determine if a multicomponent non-pharmacological delirium prevention intervention is feasible and acceptable for this specific inpatient group.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a phase II cluster randomised wait-listed controlled trial involving inpatients with advanced cancer at four Australian palliative care inpatient units. Intervention sites will introduce delirium screening, diagnostic assessment and a multicomponent delirium prevention intervention with six domains of care: preserving natural sleep; maintaining optimal vision and hearing; optimising hydration; promoting communication, orientation and cognition; optimising mobility; and promoting family partnership. Interdisciplinary teams will tailor intervention delivery to each site and to patient need. Control sites will first introduce only delirium screening and diagnosis, later implementing the intervention, modified according to initial results. The primary outcome is adherence to the intervention during the first seven days of admission, measured for 40 consecutively admitted eligible patients. Secondary outcomes relate to fidelity and feasibility, acceptability and sustainability of the study intervention, processes and measures in this patient population, using quantitative and qualitative measures. Delirium incidence and severity will be measured to inform power calculations for a future phase III trial.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained for all four sites. Trial results, qualitative substudy findings and implementation of the intervention will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and reported at conferences, to study sites and key peak bodies.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ACTRN12617001070325; Pre-results.

Bereaved Family Members' Satisfaction with Care during the Last Three Months of Life for People with Advanced Illness

BACKGROUND

Studies evaluating the end-of-life care for longer periods of illness trajectories and in several care places are currently lacking. This study explored bereaved family members' satisfaction with care during the last three months of life for people with advanced illness, and associations between satisfaction with care and characteristics of the deceased individuals and their family members.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample was 485 family members of individuals who died at four different hospitals in Sweden.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 78.7% rated the overall care as high. For hospice care, 87.1% reported being satisfied, 87% with the hospital care, 72.3% with district/county nurses, 65.4% with nursing homes, 62.1% with specialized home care, and 59.6% with general practitioners (GPs). Family members of deceased persons with cancer were more likely to have a higher satisfaction with the care. A lower satisfaction was more likely if the deceased person had a higher educational attainment and a length of illness before death of one year or longer.

CONCLUSION

The type of care, diagnoses, length of illness, educational attainment, and the relationship between the deceased person and the family member influences the satisfaction with care.

How can end of life care excellence be normalized in hospitals? Lessons from a qualitative framework study

Background

There is a pressing need to improve end-of-life care in acute settings. This requires meeting the learning needs of all acute care healthcare professionals to develop broader clinical expertise and bring about positive change. The UK experience with the Liverpool Care of the Dying Pathway (LCP), also demonstrates a greater focus on implementation processes and daily working practices is necessary.

Methods

This qualitative study, informed by Normalisation Process Theory (NPT), investigates how a tool for end-of-life care was embedded in a large Australian teaching hospital. The study identified contextual barriers and facilitators captured in real time, as the ‘Clinical Guidelines for Dying Patients’ (CgDp) were implemented. A purposive sample of 28 acute ward (allied health 7 [including occupational therapist, pharmacists, physiotherapist, psychologist, speech pathologist], nursing 10, medical 8) and palliative care (medical 2, nursing 1) staff participated. Interviews (n = 18) and focus groups (n = 2), were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using an a priori framework of NPT constructs; coherence, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring.

Results

The CgDp afforded staff support, but the reality of the clinical process was invariably perceived as more complex than the guidelines suggested. The CgDp ‘made sense’ to nursing and medical staff, but, because allied health staff were not ward-based, they were not as engaged (coherence). Implementation was challenged by competing concerns in the acute setting where most patients required a different care approach (cognitive participation). The CgDp is designed to start when a patient is dying, yet staff found it difficult to diagnose dying. Staff were concerned that they lacked ready access to experts (collective action) to support this. Participants believed using CgDp improved patient care, but there was an absence of participation in real time monitoring or quality improvement activity.

Conclusions

We propose a model, which addresses the risks and barriers identified, to guide implementation of end-of-life care tools in acute settings. The model promotes interprofessional and interdisciplinary working and learning strategies to develop capabilities for embedding end of life (EOL) care excellence whilst guided by experienced palliative care teams. Further research is needed to determine if this model can be prospectively applied to positively influence EOL practices.

Differences between COPD patients and their families regarding willingness toward life-sustaining treatments

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) receive more life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) than those with other diseases. The aims of this study were to explore the willingness of COPD patients and their families to consent to LSTs and compare the differences between their levels of willingness.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and structured questionnaires were used for data collection.

RESULTS

A total of 219 valid samples were collected, including 109 patients and 110 families. Sixty percent of family members indicated that they did not know the intentions of the patient. Families were significantly more willing for patients to receive LSTs than the patients themselves. The level of willingness of patients and families varied according to the situation and LST interventions. When patients were in a vegetative state or medical treatments were futile, the willingness of COPD patients and their families to receive LSTs significantly decreased. Endotracheal intubation and external defibrillation were the least likely to be requested, whereas the willingness to receive medication injections and noninvasive ventilation was greatest.

CONCLUSION

Communication between families and patients on the issue of LST should be facilitated. Adequate information on the patient's condition and possible LSTs should be provided to avoid COPD patients receiving inappropriate LSTs.

Self-Perceived End-of-Life Care Competencies of Health-Care Providers at a Large Academic Medical Center

Background:

In the United States, most deaths occur in hospitals, with approximately 25% of hospitalized patients having palliative care needs. Therefore, the provision of good end-of-life (EOL) care to these patients is a priority. However, research assessing staff preparedness for the provision of EOL care to hospitalized patients is lacking.

Objective:

To assess health-care professionals’ self-perceived competencies regarding the provision of EOL care in hospitalized patients.

Methods:

Descriptive study of self-perceived EOL care competencies among health-care professionals. The study instrument (End-of-Life Questionnaire) contains 28 questions assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to the provision of EOL care. Health-care professionals (nursing, medicine, social work, psychology, physical, occupational and respiratory therapist, and spiritual care) at a large academic medical center participated in the study. Means were calculated for each item, and comparisons of mean scores were conducted via t tests. Analysis of variance was used to identify differences among groups.

Results:

A total of 1197 questionnaires was completed. The greatest self-perceived competency was in providing emotional support for patients/families, and the least self-perceived competency was in providing continuity of care. When compared to nurses, physicians had higher scores on EOL care attitudes, behaviors, and communication. Physicians and nurses had higher scores on most subscales than other health-care providers.

Conclusions:

Differences in self-perceived EOL care competencies were identified among disciplines, particularly between physicians and nurses. The results provide evidence for assessing health-care providers to identify their specific training needs before implementing educational programs on EOL care.

Integrated palliative care networks from the perspectives of patients: A cross-sectional explorative study in five European countries

BACKGROUND:

Although examining perspectives of patients on integrated palliative care organisation is essential, available literature is largely based on administrative data or healthcare professionals’ perspectives.

AIM:

(1) Providing insight into the composition and quality of care networks of patients receiving palliative care and (2) describing perceived integration between healthcare professionals within these networks and its association with overall satisfaction.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional explorative design.

SETTING/PARTICIPANTS:

We recruited 157 patients (62% cancer, 25% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 13% chronic heart failure, mean age 68 years, 55% female) from 23 integrated palliative care initiatives in Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, Hungary and the Netherlands.

RESULTS:

About 33% reported contact with a palliative care specialist and 48% with a palliative care nurse. Relationships with palliative care specialists were rated significantly higher than other physicians (p < 0.001). Compared to patients with cancer, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio = 0.16, confidence interval (0.04; 0.57)) and chronic heart failure (odds ratio = 0.11, confidence interval (0.01; 0.93)) had significantly lower odds of reporting contact with palliative care specialists and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio = 0.23, confidence interval (0.08; 0.71)) had significantly lower odds of reporting contact with palliative care nurses. Perceptions of main responsible healthcare professionals or caregivers in patient’s care networks varied across countries. Perceived integration was significantly associated with overall satisfaction.

CONCLUSION:

Palliative care professionals are not always present or recognised as such in patients’ care networks. Expert palliative care involvement needs to be explicated especially for non-cancer patients. One healthcare professional should support patients in understanding and navigating their palliative care network. Patients seem satisfied with care provision as long as continuity of care is provided.

Testing a new form to document 'Goals-of-Care' discussions regarding plans for end-of-life care for patients in an Australian emergency department

OBJECTIVE

There is limited literature to inform the content and format of Goals-of-Care forms, for use by doctors when they are undertaking these important conversations.

METHODS

This was a prospective, qualitative and quantitative study evaluating the utility of a new 'Goals-of-Care' form to doctors in a private, tertiary ED, used from December 2016 to February 2017 at Cabrini, Melbourne. A Goals-of-Care form was designed, incorporating medical aims of therapy and patient values and preferences. Doctors wishing to complete a Not-for-CPR form were also supplied with the trial Goals-of-Care form. Form use, content and patient progress were followed. Doctors completing a form were invited to interview.

RESULTS

Forms were used in 3% of attendances, 120 forms were taken for use and 108 were analysed. The median patient age was 91, 81% were Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool (SPICT) positive and patients had a 48% 6-month mortality. A total of 34 doctors completed the forms, 16 were interviewed (two ED trainees, 11 senior ED doctors and three others). Theme saturation was only achieved for the senior doctors interviewed. Having a Goals-of-Care form was valued by 88% of doctors. The frequency of section use was: Aims-of-Care 91%; Quality-of-Life 75% (the term was polarising); Functional Impairments 35%; and Outcomes of Value 29%. Opinions regarding the ideal content and format varied. Some doctors liked free-text space and others tick-boxes. The median duration of the conversation and documentation was 10 min (interquartile range 6-20 min).

CONCLUSIONS

Having a Goals-of-Care form in emergency medicine is supported; the ideal contents of the form was not determined.

Factors associated with nurses' perceptions about quality of end-of-life care

AIM

To examine the factors associated with nurses' perceptions of the quality of end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND

With increasing demand for hospitals to provide end-of-life care, the low quality of palliative care provided in hospital settings is an issue of growing concern in developing countries. Most dying patients receive their care from general nurses, irrespective of the nurses' specialty or level of training.

METHOD

A structured cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted of 553 nurses working at a teaching hospital in Malaysia.

RESULTS

The mean scores for nurses' knowledge about end-of-life care, their attitudes towards end-of-life care and the perceived quality of end-of-life care were low. The factors identified as significantly associated with the quality of end-of-life care were nurses' levels of knowledge and their attitudes towards end-of-life care.

DISCUSSION

Factors that contributed to the low quality of end-of-life care were inadequate knowledge and negative attitudes. These findings may reflect that end-of-life care education is not well integrated into nursing education.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that there is a need to increase the nurses' level of knowledge and improve their attitude towards end-of-life care in order to enhance the quality of care provided to dying patients.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

Nurse managers and hospital policymakers should develop strategies to enhance nurses' level of knowledge, as well as providing adequate emotional support for nurses who care for dying patients and their families. Nurses should be proactive in increasing their knowledge and adopting more positive attitudes towards end-of-life care.

Palliative care in acute hospitals - a new vision

This article explores new and innovative ways of delivering palliative and end-of-life care (EoLC) within the acute hospital setting. Severe financial pressures in the NHS and social care, combined with the increasing clinical complexity of patients, have raised concerns about the quality of EoLC in hospitals. The creation of hospital palliative care units (PCUs) and other improvement initiatives will be described across two large acute hospital trusts which resulted in a rating of 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for their delivery of end-of-life services.

National quality indicators and policies from 15 countries leading in adult end-of-life care: a systematic environmental scan

Background

The importance of measuring the quality of end-of-life care provision is undisputed, but determining how best to achieve this is yet to be confirmed. This study sought to identify and describe national end-of-life care quality indicators and supporting policies used by countries leading in their end-of-life care provision.

Methods

A systematic environmental scan that included a web search to identify relevant national policies and indicators; hand searching for additional materials; information from experts listed for the top 10 (n=15) countries ranked in the ‘quality of care’ category of the 2015 Quality of Death Index study; and snowballing from Index experts.

Findings

Ten countries (66%) have national policy support for end-of-life care measurement, five have national indicator sets, with two indicator sets suitable for all service providers. No countries mandate indicator use, and there is limited evidence of consumer engagement in development of indicators. Two thirds of the 128 identified indicators are outcomes measures (62%), and 38% are process measures. Most indicators pertain to symptom management (38%), social care (32%) or care delivery (27%).

Interpretations

Measurement of end-of-life care quality varies globally and rarely covers all care domains or service providers. There is a need to reduce duplication of indicator development, involve consumers, consider all care providers and ensure measurable and relevant indicators to improve end-of-life care experiences for patients and families.